Tough security measures in Yemen after handing over al-Mu'ayyad

The Yemeni authorities have tightened security measures outside western embassies in the country for fear over the consequences of Germany's handing over of one Yemeni scholar and his assistant to the USA.

The Yemeni police intensified guarding around the western interests and installed further fortifications and security barriers around the US, German and British embassies.

Similar strong security measures were taken around the UN office and the French cultural center and other establishments having links to western states. The American embassy had recommended its citizens in Yemen yesterday to be cautious after the handing over of the two Yemenis and the beginning of their trial measures in New York.

Yemen had criticized the handing over of Muhammad Ali al-Mu'yaad and his assistance Muhammad Mohsin Zayed to the US and Yemen asked for handing it the two men for trial them in Yemen, if there is evidence against them in this regard.

Washington accuses al-Mu'ayyad and Zayed of providing material support for al-Qaida organization and the Islamic resistance movement Hamas. Washington also accuses al-Mu'yaad of having links to the attack against the American naval warship USS Cole in October 2000 in which 17 American marines were killed and 38 wounded.